Restaurants

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—Kent District Library is ordering a second round of its popular series for beer lovers.

KD aLe will return Monday, Dec. 8 with a home brewing workshop by Edward Long from Siciliano’s Market. Long will outline the basics of brewing during his visit to the Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch. The home brewing workshop schedule is as follows:

ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich.—Plans for two new businesses in Alpine Township are moving forward.

Thursday night, planning commissioners approved the site plans for a Tim Horton’s restaurant and Sleep Doctor mattress store. Both businesses would be located in a complex at 4235 Alpine Ave.

Township officials say developers must still finalize their road and utilities plan for the site with the township board, which they hope to do next month. Developers hope to begin construction on the new businesses in Spring 2015.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Knock back a beer and help knock out cancer this month with “Hops for Hope.”

During September, several West Michigan breweries will be donating $1 from each “purple beer” purchase to Van Andel Institute’s Purple Community. Proceeds from sales of Hops for Hope growlers and refills will also go to the cause.

“It’s good to give back to the community,” Bob Bonga, owner of the family-owned and operated Jaden James Brewery in Kentwood. “It’s wonderful that VAI is in Grand Rapids, and 100% of what we raise goes to research.”

WALKER, Mich.—A building on Alpine Avenue that’s been home to numerous restaurants will no longer be serving up meals.

Construction crews this week are gutting the former Wild Chef Restaurant at 3303 Alpine Ave. The site was previously home to a Bennigan’s restaurant.

Walker building official Tim Musser says the building will be split into two businesses—a Mattress Firm on the south side and The Vitamin Shoppe on the north side.

At least two other mattress stores have opened or are planned for Alpine Avenue; Art Van opened its Pure Sleep shop in the former Hallmark storefront at 3450 Alpine Ave. NW late last year and plans are in place to open a Sleep Doctor Mattress store at 4235 Alpine Ave., in Alpine Township.

Musser says developers have already obtained all the necessary permits to convert the former Wild Chef restaurant, which abruptly closed Sunday, June 1. It’s unclear when the new businesses will open to the public.

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich.—Get a “Taste of Grand Rapids” this weekend, when the festival that’s all about food returns to Fifth Third Ballpark.

This is the second year Taste of Grand Rapids is being held at the ballpark. Organizers moved the event to the Whitecaps’ home because it had outgrown John Ball Park Zoo.

Last year, Taste of Grand Rapids attracted thousands of foodies, ready to sample dishes from nearly two dozen area restaurants while enjoying live music and a barbecue competition. This year, a second barbecue competition has been added to the lineup- the McCormick BBQ Challenge.

Taste of Grand Rapids 2014 runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Admission is free but parking is $6. Visitors must also pay for food and beer/wine tickets on site.

ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich.—The developer planning to open a Tim Hortons in Alpine Township is not getting the support of planning commissioners to alter its plans.

Visser Brothers Inc. wants to delay construction on a north/south service drive and a portion of the east/west private road previously called for in the development plans. During its regular meeting last week, the planning commission recommended keeping the current construction timeline for the project.

Planning Director Sue Becker says the developer must now decide whether to withdraw their request or take it to the regular board.

The development is expected to include 2,489-square-foot Tim Hortons restaurant with a drive through, as well as a 3,510-square-foot Sleep Doctor Mattress Store.